Yes it was absolutely the adult chickens. You never integrate the baby chicks into the original flock that early. Bring them out & keep them separated from the others with chicken wire, or whatever else at 10-12 weeks DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNSUPERVISED under any circumstances. The earliest that you want to introduce them would be at 14-15 weeks or when they are similar in size. Otherwise they will not stand a chance. You always want to introduce at least 2 or 3. The best time to do this it is at night as well. Sneak them into the coop on their perch.I had 6 babies that I integrated to the adult flock of 10, 2 weeks ago at age 6 weeks. They are 8.5 weeks old. They have had their own coop with run that is blocked off, and I have let them all be together with supervision. Today I left them all alone together. After about 4 hours I went and checked on them and 2 of my babies were killed.
One had its head ripped off, body open and some of the entrails eaten, also her wings were only bone. Feathers everywhere. The other one had a few abrasions to her head, but no other signs of attack.
What do you think killed them, the other adult chickens? There has been some small bullying by the adults, but nothing to this extent. A predator? There's no signs of entry from a land animal. It was in broad daylight and I've never had issues before with attacks like this inside the run. I'm a new baby chick owner and devastated. the other 4 babies seem pretty traumatized too. I'm so sad
Yes, they see anything other than their own flock a threat. This is why they will quarantine & even kill a sick chicken make sense?
This is not true. I have integrated my chicks at 4 weeks old multiple times. Brooded in the coop from day 1 and created an escape door for them to run for safety if necessary. I currently have 10 were old chicks who are fully integrated and have bee since 6 weeks old.Yes it was absolutely the adult chickens. You never integrate the baby chicks into the original flock that early. Bring them out & keep them separated from the others with chicken wire, or whatever else at 10-12 weeks DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNSUPERVISED under any circumstances. The earliest that you want to introduce them would be at 14-15 weeks or when they are similar in size. Otherwise they will not stand a chance. You always want to introduce at least 2 or 3. The best time to do this it is at night as well. Sneak them into the coop on their perch.
When having chickens, you will learn to do your research. They are a lot of work. You're a small-scale farmer even if you have just a few chickens.
Always resort to looking stuff up if you are unsure before just diving right in. I'm sure that all of us can relate to this at some point or another. Lesson learned & we all have to start somewhere. I know that these things tend to leave a lasting mark as well. So sorry for your loss.
Maybe not for you. Keyword "escape door."
Your response is on point! I came searching for some information on how to intergrate 3 week olds in with 10 week olds. I have been slowly introducing them to each other. NEVER alone or out of my hands though. I can tell they want to destroy them.. so sad! I'm going to do what you say..... I'll just keep them seprerated until they are around the same in size. I do have a small guy who is in-between both sizes.. but I'm still to scared to set them down on the ground with out the wire wall to block the peaking.Yes it was absolutely the adult chickens. You never integrate the baby chicks into the original flock that early. Bring them out & keep them separated from the others with chicken wire, or whatever else at 10-12 weeks DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNSUPERVISED under any circumstances. The earliest that you want to introduce them would be at 14-15 weeks or when they are similar in size. Otherwise they will not stand a chance. You always want to introduce at least 2 or 3. The best time to do this it is at night as well. Sneak them into the coop on their perch.
When having chickens, you will learn to do your research. They are a lot of work. You're a small-scale farmer even if you have just a few chickens.
Always resort to looking stuff up if you are unsure before just diving right in. I'm sure that all of us can relate to this at some point or another. Lesson learned & we all have to start somewhere. I know that these things tend to leave a lasting mark as well. So sorry for your loss.
